10 coming-of-age films that everyone should see at least once

First loves, friendships and memories that last a lifetime

There’s something about those hazy summers between childhood and adulthood that make for incredible stories and our favourite coming-of-age films.

From Richard Linklater’s 12-year-long epic Boyhoodto the cult classic Dazed and Confused, via the seductive Dirty Dancing, these films can still teach you a lesson or two...

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Dazed and Confused 1993 Set in Texas in 1976 it follows a rowdy group of teens celebrating one of the most memorable days of their lives - the last day at high school. The masses are partying at a popular pool hall, but star football player Randall “Pink” Floyd (Jason London) has promised to focus on the championship game, aka drinking is off limits. Look out for Milla Jovovich, Ben Affleck and Matthew McConaughey.

Everybody Wants Some 2016 Dubbed the spiritual sequel to Dazed and Confused, the next installment from Richard Linklater is set in 1980, when flares, disco dancing and punks ruled the scene. Set over the first weekend at the start of a new year at college, we see a frat house party make new friends and fall head over heels in love.

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Dirty Dancing 1987 When Baby heads for her usual family vacation to Kellerman’s the last thing she expects is to fall in love with the resort’s dance teacher. But one watermelon later, and she’s embroiled in the biggest scandal of the summer. Remember, ‘nobody puts Baby in the corner.’

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Boyhood 2014 Proving he’s the master of coming-of-age films; Linklater broke the mold with his epic tale set over 12 years. Over the course of Mason’s childhood, we see his family grow, fall apart, and finally repair itself, as he tries to find his place in the world. Full of so much heartbreak and even more hope.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower 2012 Stephen Chbosky turned his own best-selling book into one of the most beautiful films, starring Emma Watson, Logan Lerman and Ezra Miller. When Sam and her stepbrother Patrick befriend socially awkward teen Charlie his life is instantly changed, but heartbreakingly, his inner demons continue to jepoardise his confidence.

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Blue is the Warmest Colour 2013Blue is the Warmest Colour originally hit headlines for its controversial 7-minute lesbian sex scene, but the French film is about so much more than that. Taking you back to those heady moments of first love, and the almost inevitable heart shattering mistakes you make as a teenager, it will rip your heart out and reduce you to a quivering wreck over and over again.

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The Breakfast Club 1985 When five high school students are detained in a Saturday detention, their lives are changed forever as the group finally get the chance to tell their stories, changing the others opinion of them forever. Yes, people aren’t always what they seem.

Almost Famous 2000 Possibly our favourite Kate Hudson film of all time, we see 15-year-old William land the assignment of a lifetime with Rolling Stone magazine to interview an up-coming band, Stillwater. But against all words of wisdom, he makes friends with the band.

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Ferris Beuller’s Day Off 1986 A young Matthew Broderick is possibly the coolest kid in town as Ferris Bueller, who ditches school in order to have the best day of his life. While his determined principle tries desperately to catch him out, Bueller takes his best friend and his girlfriend on one hell of a journey.

American Pie 1999 You can’t escape the brilliance of the original American Pie. As a group of four boys come to the end of their high school days, they each make a pack to lose their virginity, but of course, it isn’t quite as easy as that…

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